Recommend a reel?

wannacatchem · 01-01-2004, 08:45 PM

Going to start looking for a bank fishing sturgeon reel. Any recommendations....affordable recommendations?

Corkie Monster · 01-01-2004, 09:02 PM

Penn 320 or 321 GTI $80.00

CM

rileyusmc · 01-01-2004, 09:03 PM

Got a recommondation,but it will cost a little:
Penn 320 reel loaded with 130# dacron. it will handle any sturgeon you hook plus you don't worry about snags.

Dipnet · 01-01-2004, 09:13 PM

My husband suggests rather than the 320 reels, you would have better casting with a reel without the line leveler. You can cast much farther with that type of reel. He uses either the Penn Jigmaster 500 or the Diawa 50H. And use smaller diameter super braids like 65lb Power-Pro or 80lb Tuffline. There wont't be as much pull on the line from the current with these lighter lines and they will still handle the big fish.
Just his .02!!

Dipnet :grin:

Pickles · 01-01-2004, 09:20 PM

For a Bank setup I would definetly recommend a Diawa 50H or maybe a Penn 3/0 112h. You definetly want lots of line capacity when bank fishing. For a boat setup the 320 penn would be fine.

Fish Hawg · 01-01-2004, 09:25 PM

50H off the bank, and the 320 for the boat

glowball · 01-01-2004, 09:49 PM

Shimano speedmaster. The penn reels have too slow of a retrieve to use from the bank. If you ever fish in rocky areas you will lose a lot of weights cause you won't be able to reel it all the way in fast enough with out taking a break. Trust me I used one up at bonny for years. My buddies all use the speedmasters and love them.

wannacatchem · 01-01-2004, 09:50 PM

Thanks all....Going to show the wife the Fishermans store in the morning

wootersen · 01-01-2004, 10:01 PM

Paul,

I checked these out at Joe's the other day myself. The 50h is the way to go. I looked at a couple of other reels and the 50H seems like it's gonna cast a lot farther than anything else out there. Kinda spendy at $139.00, but I think it's worth the extra money.

diamondfish · 01-01-2004, 10:22 PM

My best suggestion is one that catches the fish.

Dipnet · 01-01-2004, 10:50 PM

The Penn Jigmaster500, if they still make them, will equal or outcast the Diawa 50H and should be cheaper.

Dipnet :grin:

Chromaflage · 01-01-2004, 10:56 PM

For bank fishing, I'd go with the Daiwa 50H rather than the Penn 320. The line guide on the 320/321 reels tends to add friction, resulting in shorter casts. The tradeoff is that you have to guide the line back and forth with your thumb when reeling. The 50H will also hold more line that the Penn's do. Penn's are great for boat and I do use a couple 320s on the bank for kids' reels.

ORS

talk2elk · 01-02-2004, 07:09 AM

50H works good

Fshklr · 01-02-2004, 07:19 AM

I am a die hard bankie and have used several reels..I have used the GTI's and they perform ok. But the cadillac and distance champ is the New BLACK and GOLD 50H. It cast a mile, and has a high speed retrieve as well. I also use an older 47H in the black gold series..also an awesome reel for bankies and gators. If you want distance and the best performance(just look at all the 11 to 15 foot rods with 50H's) then get the 50H. You will be amazed at it's performance and distance you can achieve with the 50h's

Dan

Another quick note..which line to use?
The General preference is 25lb P-Line (strong poo)
Or the Power Pro (PLUS) 65lb. The plus has a smoother coating(vinyl maybe?) and allows for monster casts and doesn't sound like your sawing your guides in half while reeling, which is what the regular power pro sounds like.

[ 01-02-2004, 08:32 AM: Message edited by: Fshklr ]

Stz ll · 01-02-2004, 08:18 AM

If you can afford it get the Calcutta 700. You will be able to cast much farther with much more ease than the 50H or the 320 GTI.

Steelie Ben · 01-02-2004, 12:28 PM

Go with the 50H, I have one and love it. If you are in the market for a bank rod I would recomend the Ugly stick 15', nice light tip to detect those softer bites and plenty of backbone for the big boys. I have my 50H spooled with 40" maxima ultragreen and with 6oz of lead I can sling it out there a country mile. Just my .02
SB

TonTo · 01-02-2004, 01:09 PM

My set up for years was a 12'ugly with a 330GTI but I rigged a boat rod with the reel,needed a spare set up,and some low life cleaned out my boat one night and took everthing

so I am trying to replace all boat combos and looking for a new reel for the big ugly too.I will consider reels w/out the level feature this time around,still putting 320s on the boat though,but another consideration for bank will be retreval ratio,the 330 is kinda slow compaired to 320s,sometimes you need to get over the rocks in a hurry.Any input on the gear ratio of the above mentioned reels would be apreciated.

[ 01-02-2004, 02:11 PM: Message edited by: TonTo ]

greenbuttskunk · 01-02-2004, 01:25 PM

Sturgeon from the bank, a speddmaster would be good. I would also agree to eliminate the level wind for long casts.

Chromaflage · 01-02-2004, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fshklr:
But the cadillac and distance champ is the New BLACK and GOLD 50H. It cast a mile, and has a high speed retrieve as well. ....
...You will be amazed at it's performance and distance you can achieve

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Yup! I've got two of these - my goto reels for bankie work.

They're loaded up with 40# Berkley Big Game...I change to 80# Tuff Plus when combat fishing.

ORS

Fish'n'Chips · 01-02-2004, 02:43 PM

try the shimano tekota 700 its the best sturgeon reel I have ever seen.

Fish Finder · 01-02-2004, 08:27 PM

I believe the ultimate bank casting reel is the Daiwa Grand Wave Z. It's even better than the black and gold Sealine series.

crittergitter · 01-03-2004, 09:02 AM

Well I'm the new kid on the board but I've been using the Daiwa 50HV for a few years now and it is the smoothest casting reel I think I've ever had my hands on.